"Dividing the family property?" Old Mrs. Shen was stunned. She hadn't expected Lin Wanqiu to dare mention dividing the family property. In this era, dividing the family property was a big deal. If word got out, people would say that she, as the mother-in-law, was not virtuous. She hesitated for a moment, looking at Shen Nian'an in Lin Wanqiu's arms, and then at Lin Wanqiu's determined eyes, feeling a little apprehensive.
Zhang Lan panicked too. If the family split up, they would lose a free laborer, and they would have to do all the work in the fields and at home themselves, which would be so tiring. She quickly tugged at Old Lady Shen's sleeve and whispered, "Mother, why don't we... go back first, and we can talk about it later?"
Old Mrs. Shen thought about it and felt that Zhang Lan's words made sense. Now that Lin Wanqiu's attitude was so firm, if it really escalated to the point of dividing the family property, it wouldn't do them any good. She glared fiercely at Lin Wanqiu: "You just wait! This isn't over! If you dare to talk back to me again, I won't let you off!"
After saying that, she glared fiercely at Chen Nian'an again before turning and leaving with Zhang Lan. As she reached the door, she turned back and said, "Tomorrow morning, you must come with me to work in the fields. If you dare to slack off, see how I deal with you!"
Lin Wanqiu watched their departing figures and breathed a sigh of relief. It was her first time confronting Old Madam Shen head-on, and although she was a little nervous, the result was quite good. She knew this was just the beginning; Old Madam Shen would definitely come looking for trouble again, but she wouldn't let herself be bullied like before.
She looked down at Chen Nian'an in her arms. The little one had stopped crying and was looking at her with big eyes, whispering, "Mom, you're so amazing."
Lin Wanqiu smiled and kissed her son on the forehead: "Of course, Mom will protect Niannian. From now on, Mom will never let anyone bully us again."
She sat on the kang (a heated brick bed) with Chen Nian in her arms, took out the half-eaten white steamed bun she had hidden earlier, broke off a small piece and put it to her son's mouth: "Niannian, eat some more steamed buns. You need to eat your fill so you can grow strong."
Shen Nian'an took a bite of the steamed bun, the soft and sweet flavor spreading in his mouth. He smiled contentedly, a smile like the winter sun, instantly illuminating Lin Wanqiu's heart. Looking at her son's smile, she secretly vowed to work hard and earn money so that her son could live a good life and have a different kind of life in the 1960s.
Just then, she suddenly remembered that she still had a lot of modern supplies in her space, as well as agricultural and medical skills. A surge of excitement filled her. Perhaps she could use these to make something of a difference in this era of scarcity. For example, she could start by growing some vegetables in her space to improve her and her son's meals, and then slowly figure out how to earn some money to lay the foundation for their future.
Thinking of this, Lin Wanqiu's eyes became even more determined. She knew that the road ahead would definitely not be smooth sailing, but as long as she had the space, her son, and that indomitable spirit, she was sure she could make a name for herself with her son in this era.
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